Monday, July 26, 2010

Wow! We had a great time at our annual BBQ last Sunday. Thanks to all who participated, and a special thanks to all of the board members who worked so hard to make it happen! We had a good turnout with nearly 90 in attendance, including some folks from Lincoln who were here to tell us about the Foundation, the Alumni Association and the latest news about UNL making the switch to the Big 10 Conference. We also had an exceptional raffle this year with lots of cool Husker stuff, tickets to games this fall and a beautiful red leather Husker recliner. At the end of the day we raised over $1,200 for our scholarship fund. Thanks to all who bought tickets and congrats to all the winners! If you weren't able to come, you sure missed out on a good time and some great food...hope you can join us next year.

The University is still in the summer doldrums, so not a whole lot of Husker sports news to pass along but there is some good stuff from the Alumni Association below. And check out the slightly altered Big 10 logo at the link in the last piece of this email. Pretty cool (thanks Mike)!!

Go Big Red (White and Blue),Carl

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NU vs. CU MATCHUP SET FOR TRADITIONAL DATE...

Nebraska and Colorado will meet on the gridiron on the Friday after Thanksgiving in 2010, marking the 15th consecutive season the two schools have played on that day. The Big 12 Conference and ABC/ESPN announced on Tuesday that the NU-Colorado contest will be televised nationally on ABC on Friday, Nov. 26 with kickoff set for 12:30 p.m. PT.

The Nebraska-Colorado game has been a fixture on ABC and the Friday after Thanksgiving since the start of the Big 12 Conference. In fact, the 2010 game will mark the 18th straight year the matchup between the two teams has been showcased on ABC.

The Nebraska-Colorado contest was among a group of televised games announced by the league office on Tuesday. Other Thanksgiving weekend contests were set, as were television arrangements for the first three weeks of action in September.

In addition to the Nebraska-Colorado game, two other Nebraska games were previously chosen for telecast. The Huskers' Sept. 18 game at Washington will be televised regionally on ABC, as part of the Pac-10 Conference's television package. Those not receiving the NU-Washington on their local ABC affiliate, will be able to see the game on ESPN2. Nebraska's Big 12 opener at Kansas State will be televised nationally on ESPN on Thursday, Oct. 7, beginning at 4:30 p.m. PT.

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RED OUT AROUND THE WORLD DESIGNED TO CONNECT FANS, CELEBRATE TRADITION...

Randy York's N-Sider

We were going to wait until August to explain this, but maybe now is a better time.

The Nebraska video that generated more than 130,000 views in its first four days on YouTube was designed to promote our new website and a first-ever event called Red Out Around the World on Oct. 16.

"The goal of Red Out Around the World is to connect, celebrate and salute Husker fans across the globe for their unparalleled support," Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne said. "We want to showcase the depth and breadth of support from Nebraska fans and give them a way to connect with each other and the Athletic Department."

The original logo and marketing message were created and approved in February. The message - Wear Red, Be Loud, Beat Texas - was chosen to succinctly communicate the goals of the day.

"We want our fans to wear red, no gray, white or black shirts that day, and we want them to be loud but respectful, whether they're at the stadium, a watch party or at home with their families and friends," Michael Stephens said, adding that he thought "Beat Texas" was a natural ending "since winning is a goal every time we take the field."

Osborne: We Have Great Respect for Texas

What seemed to be an innovative logo has been perceived by some to be a little too direct, so Osborne made the decision to remove the Beat Texas part of the message.

"We normally do not call out any opponent, and we regret that this promotion has been perceived in this manner," Osborne said. "We have great respect for the University of Texas and want our fans to continue to treat all of our opponents in a respectful manner."

Last fall, Stephens, Nebraska's assistant athletic director for Marketing and Licensing, did a great job orchestrating Nebraska's 300th Consecutive Sellout Celebration. But he never felt comfortable saluting just the fans who kept clicking the turnstiles. As unwavering as those fans have been in filling every seat for every game for 48 consecutive years, he knows the Nebraska phenomenon digs much deeper than 20 million fans who kept the NCAA record sellout streak alive.

After seeing more than 30,000 Husker fans show up in San Diego for Nebraska's 33-0 Holiday Bowl win over Arizona, Stephens couldn't believe how far so many had traveled to get there. They came not only from across the country, but around the world, and several told him they had never sat inside Memorial Stadium to see The Tunnel Walk, feel the spirit or hear the band serenade with Hail Varsity and There Is No Place Like Nebraska, at least not live or in Lincoln.

Stephens flew back from San Diego on the team plane, knowing what he would like to suggest - select a day when every Husker football fan in the world could rally around their favorite team. It didn't matter if they were part of another sellout, at home with friends or family or at an alumni watch party in Alliance or Asia, Eustis or Europe, Columbus or Canada.

Planning for this special Red Out Around the World began last January. By February, the marketing team, thinking it had clearly defined the event's goals, received approval on messaging and began executing major logistics before Nebraska had even played its Spring Game.

Red Out Celebration Includes Honoring 1970 Team

The Nebraska-Texas game, of course, is the backdrop for the day, and as part of the festivities, the Athletic Department made the decision last winter to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Huskers' first national championship team in conjunction with Red Out Around the World.

The 1970 Huskers went into the Orange Bowl against LSU ranked No. 3, but emerged a 17-12 winner and was voted national champions after Stanford upset Ohio State and Notre Dame broke Texas' 30-game winning streak in the Cotton Bowl earlier that day.

Such creative coincidence seemed worthy of celebration and provides the perfect thread to weave together a national reunion of players to go with a worldwide reunion of fans.

Stay tuned. The football season will be here before you know it.
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL-OF-FAMER WISTROM SAYS HIS MOTOR WAS ALWAYS RUNNING...

Randy York's N-Sider

With thousands of college football fans descending on South Bend, Ind., this weekend for the National Football Foundation's Enshrinement Festival, we found Nebraska's Grant Wistrom at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Thursday night waiting for a plane.

Through a series of what seemed like constant airline desk announcements, we asked one of 24 new members of the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 if we could ask him 10 questions.

No problem, he said, so we both dealt with the irritating noise and made it happen.

1) At Nebraska, you were a two-time unanimous All-American, a two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and a Lombardi Award winner. You played on teams that won 49 of 51 games and three national championships. Every coach, player and media member I've ever talked to says you were successful because you had a motor that never stopped. Is that something you're born with or something you developed?

"I think I was born with my motor running. My parents tell me that I was so active that by the time I was 3 or 4 years old, they couldn't get me to sleep. They said they couldn't stop me from constantly talking and walking around my little crib. When they couldn't get me to sleep for like five days straight, they called a doctor, and I guess he gave me something that just knocked me out. Melissa and I have a 5-year-old son (Wyatt) who has the same problem, but we don't worry about it because karma is a beautiful thing."

2) Jason Peter, the All-American and fellow first-round NFL draft choice who played next to you at Nebraska, says you were the most intense player he ever saw in college or pro football. Since no one can be born with that kind of intensity, where does it come from?

"That's the way I've always approached football - like a job, whether it's high school, college or pro. I've always believed if you're going to do it, do it right, play together and play every play as hard as you can. If you're not going to focus and sell out every play for your teammates and yourself, why even bother? I went to Nebraska because I wanted to win every game, and the two I remember most were the two we lost (Arizona State and Texas). I'll be honest. I never felt I was ever a great enough athlete to take a play off, and the way we were coached, we couldn't take a practice off either, not even a walk-through."

3) How did you motivate yourself, day after day, play after play?

"It was easy. I played for Coach Osborne, Coach McBride, my dad, my brothers, my teammates. That's was enough for me to practice hard every day and to play hard every Saturday. I would visualize how much I was willing to give for people I loved and teammates who were like brothers. I was always twisting something into motivation. I don't want to name the team, but there was one that had an All-American left tackle, and I had his picture posted on my wall all week. I was kicking his butt all over the field until I got injured right before halftime. Whether it was a quote, a picture, whatever, I could manipulate it and use it to my advantage. Once, all week long, I just thought about the color purple, and it worked on Saturday."

4) I remember seeing you get off the bus one Saturday morning when Nebraska played Washington in Seattle. I was a few yards away and stayed in my tracks when the bus pulled up outside the stadium. The second you stepped off the bus, you went straight to your dad. You hugged him, told him you loved him, kissed him, then headed for the locker room. How strong is that relationship with your dad?

"In my four years at Nebraska, my dad (Ron, retired from the trucking business) never missed a game, home or away. He'd watch my brother (former Husker tight end Tracey) play high school football in Webb City (Mo.) on Friday night. Then they would drive to Texas Tech to see me play the next day. When you have a family sacrifice like that to see you play, I'm going to sell out for them as much as my teammates."

5) Tracey was an All-American and Academic All-American at Nebraska just like you were. You lettered in 1994-95-96-97, and he lettered the next four years. Jason and Christian Peter were brothers who played together. Did you ever wish that you and Tracey could have shared the field?

"I would have loved to have been able to play more with Tracey. I have a good relationship with my brother, but if I could go back in time, I would do some things differently. I don't think I appreciated him as much as I should have. I'm really proud of him."

6) What's your fondest memory playing at Nebraska?

"Surprisingly, it wasn't any of the national championship games. It was the last home game of my junior year - the day after Thanksgiving against Colorado. At the time, I wasn't sure if it was going to be my last game at Memorial Stadium, so I did something I'd never done before - told myself that this game was so special, I was going to take the time to absorb everything I could. I soaked up everything. It's funny. I was always so focused that I'd never really heard the crowd before. That game was the first time in my life that I really heard the crowd, felt the crowd and reveled in the crowd. I was so tuned in. It was a great day, and we played a great defensive game (holding Colorado to 51 yards rushing on 32 carries and 12 completions in 38 passes with two interceptions in a 17-12 win)."

7) That (10-2) 1996 season was your worst in four years, yet you beat Virginia Tech 41-21 in Miami. Since both you and Jason were considered likely first-round NFL draft choices as juniors, did either of you think the Orange Bowl was your college swan song?

"Maybe, but we weren't sure. We were both so disappointed that we didn't win a third straight national championship that the thought of coming back to win another one was really appealing. I think Coach Osborne was expecting us to go when we went to his office. He never once tried to persuade us to stay. We asked him to call some people he trusts in the NFL, and he put the phone on speaker and called a couple of people. We both might have gone in the first round, but we weren't going to be top 10 picks. I got the information I needed and knew immediately what I was going to do. I was coming back, and so was Jason. I don't know if anyone's ever seen Coach Osborne shocked, but I think he was very surprised that day. We caught him off guard, but you could see the sparkle and the twinkle in his eye when we left."

8) A year later, after winning a third national championship, the St. Louis Rams made you the sixth pick in the first round of the NFL draft. You spent six years there and played on a Super Bowl champion. You also started on a Super Bowl team in your three years with the Seattle Seahawks. Was winning the Super Bowl your favorite memory as a pro?

"There is absolutely no question about that. In the NFL, it doesn't get any better than winning the Super Bowl. It was pretty darn cool, an awesome feeling really. I will never forget the feeling on the field after that game, and yes, my family was there to share the experience. I'm fairly certain if we hadn't won, I never would have been asked to judge the Miss America Pageant."

9) Any thoughts you'd like to share about Bo Pelini or Nebraska going to the Big Ten Conference?

"Coach Pelini gets what Nebraska is and can be. I've never heard a bad thing about the man. He took a team with some talent and instilled pride. He and his staff made the players take ownership in themselves, on and off the field. They would not tolerate anything less than your best. Coach Pelini completely turned around the entire attitude of the program. You can tell how much harder they play for him, and that means everything to me. As far as the Big Ten goes, I'm excited just like everyone else. I can't wait to watch Nebraska play at Ohio State or Michigan or Penn State, but we have a big season coming up in the Big 12, and I'm definitely looking forward to that."

10) Last question. How much fun will you have Friday and Saturday in South Bend, and what all will you be doing?

"They have the whole weekend planned out. I don't really enjoy golfing, but I'm playing in a scramble Friday. Then there's a downtown block party and fireworks show. Saturday, we're part of a downtown parade. There's also a fan fest, a pep rally, an autograph session and a youth football clinic. Saturday night is the enshrinement dinner and show."

I think I speak for all Husker fans when I say congratulations!

"Thanks. It's an incredible honor, and I appreciate you asking about my motor because I don't see it stopping any time this weekend."
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The Bob Devaney Sports Center isn't just getting a facelift. It's getting something close to an extreme makeover with the addition of the new Hendricks Training Complex that promises to be a boon for recruiting for Nebraska men's and women's basketball and Husker wrestling.

The Hendricks Training Complex is named in honor of Tom and Mary Hendricks and their children, Jennifer and Brandon. In donating $10 million to Nebraska Athletics, the Pipe Creek, Texas, family said it wanted to help Nebraska student-athletes compete for championships.

Construction for the Devaney addition is scheduled for completion in August, 2011.

The Devaney Center expansion project includes new basketball courts, dressing rooms and offices for both the Nebraska men's and women's basketball teams, plus new offices and practice areas for the Husker wrestling team.
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SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS INSPIRES NEBRASKA LEADERS...

Randy York's N-sider

One of the nation's busiest and most important leaders flew to Lincoln last week to talk about leadership, and those who were lucky enough to pack Lincoln's Champions Club for a special edition of Football 101 left NU's campus with a unique understanding.

They learned how a Supreme Court Justice uses Nebraska football as a metaphor for life and why Clarence Thomas is so passionate about the sport that he would move to Lincoln "in a heartbeat" whenever the time's right for his curtain to come down in Washington, D.C.

Thomas, who won an intensely contested Senate confirmation in 1991, is not a Nebraska alumnus, but he just may be the Huskers' most famous fan - right up there with Dan Whitney, a.k.a. Larry the Cable Guy, a man he is proud to have met, so they could share their passion for faith, family and football.

A Georgia native, Justice Thomas has had a fascination with Husker football since he married Virginia Lamp, an Omaha native, 23 years ago. Never quite able to figure out why her parents, the late Donald and Marjorie Lamp, were such devoted Husker fans, he decided to dig a little deeper when Tom Osborne invited him to visit the Nebraska football offices while Thomas was teaching a one-week law school class at nearby Creighton in the mid-1990s.

Thomas knew "there was something underneath Nebraska football," he said. "Being able to talk to Coach Osborne that day, I found out it's about more than just football at Nebraska. It's about life."

A Hall-of-Fame coach connected with a Supreme Court judge using football as merely a bridge. "I didn't become a big fan of Nebraska just because Coach Osborne was winning all those national championships," Thomas said. "The things that attracted me the most were the graduation rates, the focus on academic support and an emphasis on Academic All-Americans."

Tyrance, Suh, Dillard All Positive Examples

Thomas marvels about the career of Husker linebacker Pat Tyrance, a member of the College Football Academic Hall of Fame. "After Nebraska, he went on to get his master's degree from Harvard and his doctorate from Harvard Medical School."

Thomas, in fact, can't recall talking to Osborne much about football the first time they sat down.

"It was about life, about leadership, about character, about doing what's right and how you live your life," Thomas said. "He was trying to get all of that into the overall context of athletics, so football really becomes a metaphor for something much larger."

Any good judge likes to see compelling evidence, and no member of the media had to introduce testimony for Thomas last week.

"Take Ndamukong Suh," Thomas said. "I met him when he was a young kid. Now look at him. I mean, he's a man, a person of character. He's a great football player, but there's so much more."

There's so much more because Bo Pelini and Osborne told Suh he could accomplish more if he came back for his senior season. "They didn't ask him to come back to help the team win," Thomas said. "They encouraged him to come back, so he could get better every single day in every imaginable way."

The road to redemption for linebacker Phillip Dillard is another favorite story for a man who analyzes Nebraska football practices and recruiting updates in between much weightier issues facing Americans.

"Look at what Phil went through and look at him now," Thomas said. "No one should ever question Coach Pelini's and Coach Osborne's shared philosophy. You have to bring the whole person for the team to get the whole benefit. You can't turn character on and off. It's off the field, and it's on the field, and it's just wonderful to follow as a fan."

Osborne: The Ultimate Victory Comes in Life

Thomas knows some programs are willing to win at any cost. "Then they have a price to pay," he said. "Coach Osborne and Coach Pelini have their priorities straight. When you do it the right way, on and off the field, you'll get victories, but the ultimate victory really comes in life."

No wonder Clarence Thomas unabashedly told a seminar attended by 130 that he uses Osborne's book, Beyond the Final Score, for guidance in leadership. He also draws from the work of Stephen Covey, who insists that "success is inseparable from character" and a successful person is defined as honest, generous, self-sacrificing and trustworthy.

"Without character, you cannot be a leader," Thomas said. "In my humble view, the leadership of others begins with the leadership of one's self. Each of us knows what our personal struggles are. Over the years, each of the self-improvement projects that we've undertaken began with an honest self-assessment."

His own process was not pretty. Thomas had to ask himself what he was doing that needed to be changed or improved upon. He had to set goals and objectives and track his daily progress. "I will not bore you with the litany of things that I needed to do, but all change and improvement begin with honest self-assessment," he said.

In his more than three decades in Washington and in his almost two decades on the Court, Thomas has faced countless challenges. He has made difficult decisions despite an endless assortment of criticisms and personal attacks.

Not surprisingly, one of the Court's most conservative jurists relies on his faith to do what he says is "the right thing in the right way and for the right reason."

Thomas doesn't put much stock in personal ambition and fulfillment. "Something more than our personal gratification is necessary to earn the right to lead others," he said. "It is not about us. To withstand universal condemnation, one must have a transcendent purpose, and personal gratification is too thin a reed to bear the weight of true leadership."

Best Leadership Trait: Practice the Golden Rule

Bottom line, Thomas has a firm view that leaders should adhere to the golden rule and treat others like they would like to be treated themselves.

Ted Gilmore, Nebraska's receiver coach and recruiting coordinator, thought Thomas' comments were right on. "Coach Osborne talks all the time in terms about treating people the way you want to be treated, whether you're pushing a broom or behind a desk" Gilmore said. "I remember a dear friend who told me I would become a better football coach when he learned my wife was pregnant with our first child. When I asked him what he meant, he said 'You're going to coach someone else's kid the way you'd want someone to coach yours.'"

Tim Clare, a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, supports a Thomas statement that true leaders need to be who they are in all facets of their lives - as professionals, parents, spouses and community leaders. "Character and integrity are absolutely essential, whether you're dealing with your family, your coworkers or people you don't even know," Clare said.

Thomas' message resonated and sparked nearly an hour of Q&A after he spoke. Later, he admitted that he's such a Nebraska fan that he has a Husker screen saver on his computer and an extensive wardrobe of shirts with an iconic "N". He also confessed to an after-hours fascination with the Huskers on the Internet. He justified the passion by pointing out that he does not golf, gamble, play tennis, party or drink.

"When I tell you that my wife is the love of my life, I mean it," he said. "She's a fan, she's involved, and she's a hoot."

Thomas refuses to let cynicism in news programs, movies and elsewhere block his view that good will triumph over evil. Growing up in a broken family as the only black kid in his school, he learned at a young age to look for areas of common ground rather than focus on differences.

"If you let people steal your positive attitude, you let them steal your joy," he said.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't arm yourself with a good sense of humor now and then.

A Famous Fan Comes Up with a Good Quip

Thomas, for instance, would like to attend the Nebraska-Texas game in October, and he insists he would come to Lincoln without rancor or an agenda. "I let bygones be bygones," he said. "I will, however, be the timekeeper, and I will make sure that the game will be 60 minutes, not 60 minutes and one second."

Matt Penland, a two-time NU letterman linebacker (1990-92) and now the Huskers' team chaplain, appreciated a message on leadership that balanced the character issue with some wit, especially when it's coming from a man who says: "Show me a perfect person, and I'll show you a deluded person."

"You cannot give what you do not have," Penland said. "I liked how he (Judge Thomas) pointed out that you cannot fabricate leadership, service or honesty. I also liked hearing him describe the inscription he wants on his tombstone - one that says: 'He tried to be a good and faithful servant'. He's right on there. In the end, that really is all that matters."
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THREE FORMER HUSKERS PLAY IN TRIPLE-A STAR GAME...

Lincoln -- A trio of former Huskers were in action last Wednesday night (July 14), as Steve Edlefsen, Alex Gordon and Dan Johnson are in Allentown Pa., for the Triple-A All-Star Game. Dan Johnson (Durham Bulls) will represent the International League, while Alex Gordon (Omaha Royals) and Steve Edlefsen (Fresno Grizzlies).

Edlefsen, who was picked by the San Francisco Giants in the 16th-round in 2007, is 6-1 with five saves and a 1.89 ERA this season in Fresno, striking out 40 over 47.2 innings of work. He has appeared in 32 contests and is holding opponents to a .225 batting average. Edlefsen, who played infield before becoming a pitcher in his final season at Nebraska, is an impressive 24-7 with 16 saves in his professional career.

Gordon, who battled a thumb injury before going to Triple-A Omaha, has been one of the league's top outfielders, hitting .322 with 13 homers and 41 RBIs since arriving in Omaha in late April. Gordon was the consensus national player of the year in 2005, helping Nebraska to a school-record 57 wins.

Johnson, who spent the 2009 season in Japan, is hitting .298 with 24 homers and 80 RBIs in 81 games in Durham. He leads the International League in both homers and RBIs, as he is six homers and 23 RBIs ahead of the next player in both categories. He is also second in slugging percentage (.616), runs scored (57) and walks (.50) heading into Wednesday's all-star game. Johnson, who starred at Nebraska in 2000 and 2001, also won the Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby Monday with 25 homers to defeat Lehigh Valley's Andy Tracy in the finals.
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Stand up for Nebraska today by enrolling your child or grandchild in the Nebraska Legacy Program. Free and open to all Nebraska Alumni Association members, the program provides your future Husker with age-appropriate gifts and personalized postcards on each birthday. Enroll and learn more.

Tradition Keepers

Scarlet Guard honored its first three "Official Tradition Keepers" (OTK) – Kristin Hiebner, Kelsey Hohlen and Kori Underwood – during SG Renewal Day April 29 and again at UNL Commencement May 8. The OTKs are students who have completed at least 50 traditions in the Cornhusker Compass, the student group's unofficial yearbook/scrapbook introduced last fall.

Falter To Lead Board

Come July 1, the Nebraska Alumni Association Executive Board of Directors will have a new leader as well as several new members. Jeannine Falter, '76, '95, '00, of Lincoln, will take the reins from Tom Burnell, '84, '85, Lincoln, as board president. Also leaving the executive board are UNL rep Susan Poser and Stephanie Skrupa, '86, of Omaha. Taking their places are Bill Nunez, UNL; Bill Mueller, '77, '80, Lincoln; and Steve Toomey, '85, '89, Kansas City, Mo.

Honor A Student

Nominate a UNL student for the Shane Osborn Award or the Vann Student Leadership Award. Presented at the May Alumni Awards banquet, these student honors are presented to outstanding undergraduate students and include stipends to help with their educational expenses. The deadline to nominate someone for a 2011 award is Oct. 8, 2010. Learn more.

Last Chance for Huskers/Huskies

If you want to see the Nebraska football team in action against the Washington Huskies in Seattle this fall, there are still a few seats left on the only official NU alumni trip – but they're filling fast. Act now to secure your spot!

Start Your Job Search

The alumni association is proud to partner with UNL Career Services, the AIM Institute and Talent Plus to offer alumni job-search resources. Search the Career Link online database of jobs that includes listings from thousands of employers (mostly in Nebraska and surrounding areas) or check out the career counseling services and Husker Hire Link jobs database offered by UNL Career Services. And don't forget to connect with more than 5,000 alumni by joining the alumni association's LinkedIn group. Begin at HuskerAlum.org!

Dig, Spike, Score!

Nebraska Volleyball tickets will go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 3 at 8 a.m. for the match versus Illinois at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the match range from $9 to $15 and can be purchased online, by calling the NU Ticket Office at 800-8BIGRED or by visiting the NU Ticket Office (located across from Memorial Stadium) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Go Big Red!

Big Ten Affiliation Brings CIC Invite

An academic partnership will become part of the Big Ten package when the University of Nebraska-Lincoln joins the Committee on Institutional Cooperation effective July 1, 2011. CIC provosts recently voted unanimously to invite UNL into their prestigious academic community. The CIC includes all Big Ten universities plus the University of Chicago. Through collaborative efforts, members save money, share assets,and increase teaching, learning and research opportunities. Read more.

Postcards of Pride

Become an active part of the student recruitment process at UNL by volunteering for Postcards Of Pride, part of the Alumni Admissions Program. Share your experiences and lessons with prospective students. Research shows that along with a campus visit, personal contact is one of the most important considerations for students and parents when choosing a university or college.

New Member Benefit

Alumni Association members now receive a 25 percent discount on 12-month or 4-month subscriptions to HuskersNside! This premium video option on Huskers.com includes coaches shows, full-game replays, highlights, press conferences, behind-the-scenes interviews, select game coverage and more. Sign up before the fall sports season begins and take advantage of this membership benefit!

Campus Hosts Special Olympians

The Special Olympics 2010 USA National Games kick off July 18 with the lighting of the cauldron (designed by Dan Perry, 2006 UNL master of fine arts graduate in sculpture) at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The athletes will be housed at UNL and will compete in 13 sports at venues throughout town, including campus facilities. The event, which runs through July 23, will draw about 3,000 athletes, 1,000 coaches, 8,000 volunteers and 15,000 family members and friends to the largest multi-sport event in the history of Nebraska.

Wear Red

Even though it's the middle of summer, football season will be here before you know it. It's the perfect time to get a FREE Husker football jersey with your new Husker Rewards Card. New cardholders get a free authentic Nebraska jersey when they spend their first $100 with the only card that supports the Nebraska Alumni Association. Find out more about Husker Rewards.
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Friday, July 09, 2010

Here are some good articles to chew on before our big Big Red Roundup Picnic on Sunday, and get you excited about the upcoming Husker football schedule. Summer is normally a pretty slow time of the year for Husker news, but lots of things have been happening back in Lincoln since the announcement that UNL is joining the Big 10. In addition to all the conference discussions, the city of Lincoln voted to build a new sports arena in the Haymarket area (near the baseball stadium) to supplement/enhance the Devaney Center for some of the Husker sports teams. AD Osborne is hopeful that it could be built in time for the 2013 Basketball season. And a recent survey from season ticket holders and fans indicate there may be another expansion to Memorial Stadium in the works. See the first article and link to a video Q&A between Randy York and Tom Osborne to get a feel for what's coming down the pike for Nebraska Athletic programs.

In football news, they have set the times for the first two football games and they will be PPV broadcast events, which means we'll be passing the hat at our local watch party sites (see below).

In baseball news, Darin Erstad (of Major League Baseball fame) will be joining the UNL baseball coaching staff (see below)!

Thats all for now...enjoy the reading and we hope to see you Sunday at the Picnic!

Go Big Red (White and Blue),Carl

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Q&A with AD Tom Osborne:

A resounding yes vote on a new Haymarket Arena ... the aftermath of Nebraska making the decision to join the Big Ten Conference ... major improvements to the Bob Devaney Sports Center ... a donor and season ticket holder survey that could lead to possible Memorial Stadium expansion ... a Hall-of-Fame coach who has experienced more than 40 games against Big Ten teams.

So many subjects and so many questions mean no dog days of summer for an athletic director whose department is trying to balance a budget in a conference the Huskers are leaving a year from now, not to mention get ready to join another conference with different demands, different timetables and a different cast of coaches, student-athletes and administrators.

Randy York, director of Huskers.com, sat down with Tom Osborne on Wednesday to ask him several timely, relevant questions.

In a short summer Q&A series with Osborne on Huskers.com, Nebraska's athletic director begins by answering a question about media speculation that focuses on the timing of creating divisions and making schedules for an expanded Big Ten.

There wasn't any Q&A after Tom Osborne's appearance on the Jim Rome Show that was syndicated across the country on Tuesday, but there was at least one person who bought the logic that Nebraska's athletic director laid out on the show ... Jim Rome himself.

Rome, the popular radio show host who broadcasts from a studio near Los Angeles, said he loves the connection between Nebraska and the Big Ten.

And now that he knows more precisely why Nebraska made the move from the Big 12 to the Big Ten, Rome said "the miracle is they (the Huskers) left and that conference didn't just fall apart."

Osborne told Rome that the Big 12 was a good league and remains a good league today. "We have no complaints about it, but we just felt that our culture, the way we do things and our outlook on things was probably a little bit more similar to the Big Ten, and the Big Ten was a better fit.

"Some people say we just did it for the money," Osborne added, "and actually we will be less well off financially for a few years at least."

Culture, geography and stability influenced Nebraska's decision to move to the Big Ten.

Osborne said Nebraska's decision-makers respect the Big Ten philosophy of "all for one and one for all" and had a "feeling that the Big Ten is stable and is going to be there for the next 50 or 100 years."

Rome asked Osborne questions about the differences in recruiting, exposure, the Oklahoma rivalry and the rapid development of Bo Pelini and his coaching staff. To hear the conversation between Rome and Osborne, go to this link:

Lincoln - University of Nebraska athletic programs continued to rise on a national scale during a successful 2009-10 campaign. The Huskers finished the year ranked 17th in the final NACDA Directors Cup all-sport standings, their highest overall finish since taking 13th in 2000-01.

Nebraska's competitive success included nine top-16 national finishes across its 23 varsity sport programs. NU had 15 teams advance to NCAA Tournament action in 2009-10, and the Husker football team won a 2009 Holiday Bowl crown. Coach Bill Straub's bowling team produced an NCAA runner-up finish, while National Coach-of-the-Year Connie Yori's women's basketball team finished fourth in the Associated Press Top 25 - the best showing in school history. Coach John Cook's tradition-rich volleyball program added a No. 5 final national ranking, while Coach Morgan Hicks' rifle team finished sixth at the 2010 NCAA Championships. Coach Dan Kendig's women's gymnastics team added a seventh-place NCAA finish, while first-year coach Chuck Chmelka's men's gymnastics program rounded out NU's six top-10 team finishes by placing ninth.

Big 12 Coach-of-the-Year Scott Jacobson also helped the women's tennis make history by leading the Huskers to their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. Coach Kerry McDermott also enjoyed a history-making season by leading the Husker men's tennis team to its first-ever berth in the NCAA Championships.

At the conference level, Coach Bo Pelini's football program won the Big 12 North title to advance to the league title game. Yori, the Big 12 Coach of the Year, led the NU women's basketball program to the best season in school history that included a Big 12-record tying 30-game winning streak and a perfect 16-0 league season to claim the conference crown. Big 12 Men's Outdoor Coach-of-the-Year Gary Pepin also led the track and field team to the 101st conference track title in school history.

In addition to the conference-title winning team efforts, the Nebraska women's gymnastics team added a league runner-up finish, while the men's indoor and women's outdoor track and field teams added second-place finishes of their own. The women's tennis team contributed a third-place conference finish, as did the women's indoor track and field squad.

Individually, Nebraska student-athletes also achieved at the highest levels in several sports. All-American Ndamukong Suh became one of the most decorated defensive players in college football history, while powering the Huskers to a 10-win season on the gridiron. Suh, who became the first defensive player in history to earn Associated Press National Player-of-the-Year honors, captured the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award while being named a Heisman Trophy finalist. The defensive tackle from Portland, Ore., also became the first Husker to win both the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards as the nation's top defensive player, before being selected with the No. 2 overall pick of the Detroit Lions in the 2010 NFL Draft.

All-American Kelsey Griffin also claimed national headlines while leading the women's basketball team to a record-setting season. The 6-2 forward from Eagle River, Alaska, was a finalist for every major national player-of-the-year award and became Nebraska's first-ever winner across all sports of the prestigious Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, recognizing her success in competition, in the classroom and in the community. The 2010 Big 12 Player of the Year became just the second Husker in history to score more than 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds while capturing the third first-team all-conference accolade of her career. She was a unanimous first-team All-American and picked No. 3 overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft. The 2010 Nebraska Female Student-Athlete of the Year is midway through her first season with the Connecticut Sun.

All-American Cassandra Leuthold also captured 2010 National Player-of-the-Year honors while leading Coach Bill Straub's Husker bowlers to an NCAA runner-up finish. Leuthold, a senior from Black Hawk, S.D., was named the Most Outstanding Player while leading the Huskers to the 2009 NCAA title and was the 2007 National Rookie of the Year, when she helped NU to a third-place finish.

Overall 29 Nebraska student-athletes captured 33 All-America awards in their respective sports, including NCAA 197-pound runner-up Craig Brester. The senior wrestler from Howells, Neb., helped Coach Mark Manning's team to a 12th-place finish at the NCAA Championships before being named Nebraska's Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

A testament of NU's national recruiting power, the Huskers' 29 All-Americans came to Nebraska from 13 states and three foreign countries. The state of Nebraska produced five All-Americans and five more came from the Big Ten region (Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota). Four All-Americans came from Texas and three more from Missouri. Across the board, the future looks bright for Nebraska's athletic programs. Among NU's 29 All-Americans in 2009-10, 20 were underclassmen who are expected to return in 2010-11.

Lincoln - Husker student-athletes produced another stellar year at the University of Nebraska, continuing NU's tradition of academic success. Nebraska increased its nation-leading total of CoSIDA Academic All-Americans across all sports to 277 with a Big 12-leading eight honorees in 2009-10, while also setting conference records with 178 academic All-Big 12 selections and 687 selections to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll during the year.

Nebraska's Academic All-America success continues to set the standard for the approximately 1,400 NCAA member institutions. The Husker football team leads all individual sport programs in the nation with 98 all-time Academic All-America awards, while the NU volleyball progam has captured more CoSIDA Academic All-America awards (36) than any other women's team across all sports in the nation. The Husker softball program trails only the volleyball team in its number of CoSIDA Academic All-America awards (27) across all female sports.

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KICKOFF TIMES SET FOR FIRST TWO GAMES...

The University of Nebraska and FOX Sports Midwest have announced that Nebraska's first two football games of the 2010 season will be available on a pay-per-view basis.

Nebraska's home football games against Western Kentucky (Sept. 4), and Idaho (Sept. 11) will be available on a pay-per-view basis. Big 12 Special Order Sports, FOX Sports Net's pay-per-view division will produce the pay-per-view telecasts and the games will be available on participating cable systems in Nebraska as well as nationally on participating satellite and telco systems.

For the first time Nebraska's pay-per-view contests will be available in high-definition. Suggested retail price for the pay-per-view telecasts is $39.95 and full ordering details will be available in the coming weeks.

Game times for the two contests have also been set. The season opener against Western Kentucky will kick off at 4 p.m. (PDT) under the Memorial Stadium lights. The contest will mark the fifth time in the past six seasons Nebraska has opened the season with a home night game, and the 14th time in program history NU has opened the season under the lights. The following week Nebraska will take on Idaho in an 9:30 a.m. (PDT) contest.

The non-conference home games are being televised on a pay-per-view basis because they were not selected for over-the-air broadcast or cable television coverage. Other Nebraska games, including the Sept. 25 home game against South Dakota State, could possibly be shown on a pay-per-view basis if they are not selected by one of the Big 12's television partners. Those TV choices will be made six to 12 days in advance of kickoff.

In addition to the two pay-per-view contests, Nebraska previously had three games selected to be telecast on ABC and ESPN. Nebraska's game at Washington on Sept. 18 will be televised on ABC with a 12:30 p.m. PDT kickoff from Seattle. NU's Big 12 opener at Kansas State on Thursday, Oct. 7 will be a 4:30 p.m. (PDT) kickoff on ESPN, and the regular-season against Colorado will be televised nationally by ABC with a 12:30 p.m. PST kick.

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SUH HEADLINES HALL OF FAME CLASS...

Outland, Lombardi, Nagurski and Bednarik award winner Ndamukong Suh headlines a distinguished class of eight Huskers who will be joining the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2010. In addition to Suh, a 2009 All-American who became the first defensive player in history to be named the AP National Player of the Year, the 2010 Hall of Fame class includes former Huskers Dan Alexander, Steve Lindquist, Todd Millikan, Ed Periard, Bob Pickens, Carlos Polk and Chris Spachman.

Former Husker Mike Minter, who was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2006 but unable to attend formal induction ceremonies because of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers, will also be honored. The new class of Nebraska Football Hall of Fame members will be inducted on Friday, Sept. 3, before being honored on the field during Nebraska's game with Western Kentucky at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 4.

From the state college ranks, Doane College's Mike Sallier and Nebraska Wesleyan's Noland Urban will join the former Husker inductees in 2010. The Hall will also recognize former Nebraska Chancellor Clifford Hardin with its Presidents Award, while David and Peggy Sokol will receive its Clarence E. Swanson Meritorious Service Award. Jon and Joyanne Van Bloom will be honored with the Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award.

The Nebraska Football Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Nebraska Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. The College Football Hall of Fame opened in South Bend, Ind., in 1995.

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Nebraska Alumni News...

Send a photo of a custom Nebraska or Huskers themed license plate to alumni@huskeralum.org along with your our full name, graduation year and current place of residence. Photos will be uploaded to our Facebook page (facebook.com/UNLAlumni) on July 19. Vote for the photo you want to win by 'liking' it!

The grand-prize winner will receive two tickets to the NU/Western Kentucky football game in Lincoln Sept. 4.

The two future anchor tenants for the new Lincoln Haymarket Arena Project that won 56 percent public approval Tuesday in a citywide vote are excited about more than playing basketball in a facility that should be built by fall in 2013.

Results are unofficial, but voter turnout for Lancaster County was high for a primary election that focused heavily on the $344 million Haymarket development project.

"I look at this vote as a much more significant matter than something that will just benefit our basketball programs," Nebraska Men's Head Basketball Coach Doc Sadler said Tuesday. "Yes, it will benefit the University of Nebraska, but it will also benefit the city of Lincoln and the people who enjoy other activities besides basketball. Plus, it will put people to work, so they can get everything built."

Nebraska Women's Head Basketball Coach Connie Yori said she hopes a new Haymarket Arena will change the complexion of downtown Lincoln just as dramatically as the Qwest Center changed downtown Omaha.

"We think it's going to make our downtown more progressive and provide a great venue to spend an evening - not just for young people, but for everyone," Yori said. "It will completely change the landscape of downtown Lincoln and bring not just a better basketball experience to fans, but all kinds of other entertainment that we haven't had here in a long time."

Yori remembers when she was a college student living in Omaha and made the trek to Lincoln to see Bruce Springsteen for one concert and Elton John for another. "That was back in the early to mid-1980s, and I haven't been back to a concert since at the Devaney," said Yori, the 2010 National College Women's Basketball Coach of the Year.

Marc Boehm, Nebraska's Executive Associate Athletic Director who oversees both of Nebraska's basketball programs, agrees with Sadler and Yori that Tuesday's outcome was a vote for Lincoln's future as much as anything else.

"If you look around the country and especially if you look in the Big 12 Conference and the arenas we have to compete against, this vote puts us into a category that will enhance our basketball program and help us compete at a high level," Boehm said.

"But the Haymarket vote is much more than just an arena that will help our basketball program," Boehm said. "It's also something that will be significant for the city and for the state. As a father of three boys, I can tell you that it will be great for our young family to attend ice shows, concerts and all the other arena events that can produce lifetime memories."

The Haymarket Arena was the linchpin of Tuesday's vote. The new 16,000-seat arena will be built in the city's West Haymarket Area. The project also includes an ice center, a 200-room hotel, 100,000 square feet of retail space, another 100,000 square feet of office space and 100 residential units.

In addition, 2,340 parking stalls will be added, increasing the total to 7,100 parking stalls within walking distance of an arena intended to become the city's primary public gathering place.

"I think the city stepped forward today in a very positive fashion," Boehm said. "You will see opportunity now for Lincoln that you've never seen before. There will be significant economic growth and the creation of an estimated 1,200 permanent jobs. It's going to be exciting for everyone that lives in this city, surrounding region and the entire state to see new retail shops and hotels go up in the area."

When Yori looks at where downtown Omaha was just 10 years ago and compares it to where it is now, "it's completely different," she said. "That created some exciting times for Omaha, and we hope the arena can do the same thing for us."

Sadler agrees. "With the way people came out and voted, I think they're excited, and that creates excitement for the whole city," he said. "It will have a tremendous effect for members of this community over the next 15 or 20 years."

While indicating that basketball was a small part of the overall project, "The new arena can put us at the top of the Big 12, and along with our new practice facility, it's going to put us in elite company throughout the country," Sadler said.

"No one is going to be able to say that people don't really care about basketball at Nebraska," Sadler said. "The people of Lincoln care, and the administration at the University of Nebraska has definitely shown a strong commitment to a competitive facility and a competitive team."

Yori said the new facility will attract higher quality entertainment and help young people revitalize the community. She said watching a fly-through of a proposed new facility takes on new meaning because it shows something you're going to get rather than something you'd like to have.

"Whether it be good or bad, young people today want the new, the up-to-date facility and whatever the newest, latest thing is," Yori said. "Naturally, it's going to play into the recruiting process. We expect prospective student-athletes will be excited about playing in a new arena and want to come here.

"But it's much more than just a recruiting tool," Yori added. "When you combine a new facility with our great fans, it's a great opportunity for men's and women's basketball to continue to grow because everything can be better - from the parking to the atmosphere to the overall fan experience. This was a vote for the future of Lincoln, and I think we all appreciate the confidence a vote like this creates."

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ERSTAD NAMED TO BASEBALL COACHING STAFF...

Lincoln - One of the most decorated baseball players in program history returns to Nebraska in a new role, as Darin Erstad has been named an assistant coach for the Husker baseball team, Head Coach Mike Anderson announced Thursday. A two-time Major League All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, Erstad will serve as the Huskers' hitting coach.

Erstad said the opportunity to begin his coaching career at the program he starred at was an easy choice.

"I didn't expect this opportunity to be here this soon, but when Mike (Anderson) asked me to come on board, it is a chance of a lifetime as a coach, and I didn't want to pass it up," Erstad said. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be part of the university in a coaching role. It is a great opportunity to help some young kids develop for the rest of their lives."

"My philosophy is to lay it on the line every day, every time you are on the field," Erstad said. "There is a couple of ways to play the game, but there is only one right way to play the game of baseball, and that is to play hard, respect the game, and respect your opponent. It is game-on from the time you step on that field, and that is the way it should be in life and on the field."

Anderson said that Erstad's work ethic, communication skills and team-first mentality make him an ideal addition to the Husker coaching staff.

While his success in the Major Leagues will be the first thing that people notice, his wealth and depth of knowledge may be his strongest asset," Anderson said. "You have to be a great communicator, and Darin is that. He has the ability to take the experiences he has and transfer that knowledge to our players to help them reach their potential. He understands that the most important role in coaching is to be able to serve others, and the values he has match with our program's philosophy."

Erstad wrapped up a 14-year Major League career in the fall of 2009, after playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (1996-06), Chicago White Sox (2007) and Houston Astros (2008-09). During his career, he helped the Angels to a World Series title in 2002 and two other American League playoff appearances. Erstad appeared in 1,654 games, and was a career .282 hitter with 124 homers and 699 RBIs. He was at his best in the postseason, hitting .339 in 29 career playoff games, including a .352 clip in 2002 to lead the Angels to their only World Series win.

Accommodations at the 4-stay Hyatt Regency Bellevue, team headquarters

Game day transportation by boat (appetizers and no-host bar) to the game with Lake Union sightseeing

Game Tickets

On-site services of Northwest Travel personnel

Optional events in and around Seattle, including the Mariners at Safeco Field

Prices are set at $735 per person, based on double share, or $885 for single accommodations

Game tickets are NOT available through Northwest Travel without the accommodation package

Credit for airfare and hotel transfer is $220 per person if you opt to make your own arrangements

The Hyatt Regency is located on the eastside of Lake Washington in the city of Bellevue, King County’s second largest city. The Hyatt is part of a complex that contains Bellevue Square, with a wide selection of shops and restaurants all within walking distance.

Game day will be a unique experience for Husker fans as they board a boat for a tour of Lake Washington and Lake Union before arriving at the dock adjacent to Husky Stadium. An early arrival at the site provides for time to tour the Washington tailgate venues, tour the campus, or attend the pre-game party event at The Zone, located in the east end zone of the stadium. The Zone offers food, beverages, merchandise, and live entertainment. Following the game, fans will board motor coaches for a short drive to the hotel.

Game time is not likely to be set until about 2 weeks prior to kickoff. The start time may be set earlier if this game is picked up early by a network. Travelers will be notified via email when schedule updates are available.

Blocked air space is on Alaska Airlines from Sacramento and San Francisco. The departure time from these airports is at approximately noon, with an arrival in Seattle at approximately 2:00pm. Ground transportation will meet these flights for the 30 minute drive to the hotel. Return flight times are late afternoon from Seattle at approximately 3pm, with an arrival in Northern California at approximately 5pm. Please indicate your origination city when you make your reservations. Return transportation from the hotel to the airport will depart the hotel about 2.5 hours prior to flight times.

For reservations, a non-refundable deposit of $250 per person is required to hold your reservation. Balance of payment is due July 15th, 2010. For reservations, the following information is required:

Legal Name (as it appears on government issued ID such as your drivers’ license)

Mailing address

Daytime phone contact

Email contact

Air schedules. If you are using the air seats I have blocked, please advise as to your origin city (SMF or SFO), your seat preference, an Alaska Airlines mileage number (if you have one).

Form of payment. You may pay by check, Visa, or Mastercard. There is a reduction of $25 per person for deposit (asap) and final payment (6/15/10) by check in lieu of credit card.

Reference to other parties (for game seating purposes)

For reservations, register online at www.nwtravel.com, send an email to brad@nwtravel.com or call the office at 425 313 1691. Given the limited number of phone lines, it is MUCH easier to reach me by email. If you would like to register via email, provide the information outlined above. I will contact you via email with a confirmation.